Why Is My Cat Always Licking Me?

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Why does my kitty try to lick me all the time? I've heard it's a sign of affection, but it's starting to gross me out.

K.M., Provo, Utah

I've always thought of a dog as an open book, trying his best to please and possessing an unmistakable happiness flag attached to his south end. But the path to feline understanding is a twisted one. Cats are harder to read than dogs, and their actions can be partially explained at best. We do know, however, that cats clean themselves by licking and that they only groom friends and family. So you could consider yourself honored. Of course, your kitty may also like the flavor of your new hand cream, the saltiness of your sweat, or the taste of supper on your skin. You'll never know for sure. If you'd rather not be licked, the best response is to tell your friendly visitor to stop while gently pushing her off you. She'll get the message eventually and won't take offense. She may not even notice — she's a cat.